Tool and method for sheathing of cables

ABSTRACT

The device is a tool for placing a split sheath around elongated items such as bundles of electronic cables. It comprises a guide bush which makes possible the opening of the sheath, a duct for the cables to be sheathed, lateral grooves for guiding the open sheath and is characterized by the presence of a lateral opening which allows the introduction or extraction of cables possibly already fixed at their two extremities during the use of the tool, as well as by the angle which there is between this opening and the duct for the cables in a manner to keep them in position in the tool be their own rigidity. The tool may have a handle for manipulation and for setting the tool in relative motion along the cables to be sheathed. The invention is also directed at the method for using the tool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tools for installing generally tubularsheathing, such as split ringed sheathing, around elongated items, suchas bundles of electric cables. Nowadays, many types of tool are knownfor the application of such sheathing.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

One type of tool consists of a simple shuttle with a guide head whichmakes it possible to open the sheathing and an orifice into which arepassed the cables to be sheathed. This tool, however, is limited to usewith cables of which one extremity at least is free. It does nottherefore apply to cables which are already laid and which have theirtwo extremities fixed, and it does not, moreover, allow passage of thesheath over branches from the bundle of strands. Bridging over offittings or connectors presupposes making them pass into and through theorifice of the shuttle, which consequently then has to be oversized toaccommodate them. Such a tool type is shown in JP-A-5742007 (PatentAbstracts of Japan Vol 6. No 112). A similar tool is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,593,442 but wherein the guide head, which extends through alongitudinal slit of the tubing, is formed in two separable groovedparts which co-operate to define an enclosed feed duct; the ability tosplit the guide head permits on the tool to be applied to, or separatedfrom, a partially sheathed item without access to the end of the item,but such tool assembly/disassembly is not a trivial operation and notsuited to a frequently necessary production step.

A second known type of tool consists of an articulated gripping jaw madeup of two symmetrical parts held against each other by a spring. In theopen position, the jaws allow the introduction of a bundle of cables tobe sheathed into a duct. When in the dosed position, two integralprotuberances, one on each of the respective halves of the jaws whichtogether form a head for expanding or otherwise opening the sheathing tobe installed. The tool is then dragged along the bundle of cables to besheathed. Any cable branch, joint or connector encountered interruptsthe sheathing operation. The device must then be opened and the cablesmust be removed from it. Accommodate for connectors or fittings is tomade by expanding and/or opening the sheathing manually, with thefingers, in order to carry out the sheathing operation. The tool is thenre-introduced for sheathing the bundle as far as the next obstacle. Itis apparent that this technique is hardly efficient if numerous branchesor numerous connectors are present in the network to be sheathed.Moreover, this technique brings risk of injury to the user on the edgesof a non-fabric split sheath, such as a plastic ringed sheath, or ofpinching electric wires of small diameter by the jaws of the tool.

A third known tool consists of a handle, a guide head which opens orexpands the split sheath and a semi-circular bar located at 60° to thehead in the direction the tool moves forward. Traction of the tool thenallows the introduction of cables into the sheathing. This arrangementbrings the main inconvenience that the wires are subject to littleguidance, can easily come out of the sheathing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus intends to remedy these inconveniences byproducing a sheathing tool which is more convenient and more efficientin use, and which even permits, for example, clearing obstacles likebranches off the bundle of cables and which can be used on already laidnetworks where the wires do not have a free end.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this tool is made robustby assembling it in a single integral block, without movable parts.

The ergonomics of the tool and ease and rapidity of use constitute athird objective of the present invention.

In like manner, the possibility of mechanising the application of thesheathing bundle of cables constitutes a major advantage of theinvention.

The tool of this invention similarly improves safety in use for its userby preventing the user from touching the possibly sharp edges of thesheath to be fitted, and this constitutes an additional advantage of theinvention.

Finally, its suitability for different types of sheaths, such as splitringed plastic sheathing, textiles etc, constitutes another advantage ofthe device according to the invention.

According to the present invention, a device for inserting elongateditems into a sheath which is slit longitudinally and has free edgesextending approximately parallel to its axis, said device being capableof being moved in relation to the sheath in a direction generallyparallel to said sheath, said device having a head comprising openingmeans for the sheath and which has, on the one hand, a first passage forthe sheath during its relative movement in relation to the tool, andalso a second passage for the elongated items in order to introduce thembetween the separated edges of the sheath, said second passage beinglocated obliquely in relation to the axis of the head, characterised inthat said head has a lateral passage which communicates with the secondpassage for the elongated items and which forms an angle with the axisof the head which is different from that formed between the axis of thesecond passage for the elongated items and the axis of the head, saidlateral passage being adapted for the introduction or extraction of oneor more elongated items during the movement of the sheath relative tothe head of the tool.

It will be appreciated that the device of this invention is thus adevice for the insertion of cables into a split sheath, either one ofwhich is already split, or one which is split immediately prior to thesheathing operation; it is movable relative to the sheath, and it has ahead which ensures the opening/expansion of the sheath; it features achannel for the cables to introduce them between the separated edges ofthe sheath, the latter channel being located obliquely in relation tothe sheath and is characterised in that is has a lateral passagecommunicating with the channel for the cables, said lateral passagebeing disposed at an angle to this channel.

It will be understood that this arrangement also allows for the tool tobe used on cables where the two extremities are fixed, and similarly toensure the clearance of branches of cables without having to separatethe tool from the sheath or from the cables to be sheathed. It thereforeprovides a good answer to problems caused by known tools constitutingthe state of the art. Such an implementation guarantees that cableswhich have a tendency because of their own mechanical structure toremain grouped around their axis, will not spontaneously come out of thetool during an insertion/sheathing operation. Consequently, theirextraction or introduction (via the lateral passage) will remain verysimple for the user.

According to one preferred embodiment, the tool is further characterisedin that part at least of the surface of the passage for the elongateditems, and/or of the passage for the sheath, and/or of the lateralpassage, has a surface layer of a material with a reduced coefficient offriction.

According to a further feature of the invention, a preferred method ofusing a tool according to the invention comprises the steps of:

(a) presenting the tool to elongated items to be sheathed so as tointroduce the latter to the second passage,

(b) introducing the sheath to opening means via the first passage,

(c) dragging the tool relative to the sheath and elongated items untilthe latter are enclosed by the sheath,

(d) during step (c) introducing new or additional elongated items viathe lateral passage, or extracting one or more items via said lateralpassage.

It will be understood that these steps are compatible with mechanisationof the placing of the sheath onto the cables by dividing the processinto at least three steps; namely bringing the items to the tool,putting the tool in position and then using the tool. As will beunderstood, only a tool which makes it possible to ensure that neitherthe cables nor the sheath need leave their paths is compatible withautomation of the sheathing in this way. This is an important advantagewith regard to previous known systems.

The reduction in friction obtained by treating the surface of the partsof the tool exposed to sliding friction, and preferably by having asmall angle between the axis of the cables and the axis of the sheathcontributes to the particularly advantageous implementation of theinvention in automated form.

According to one especially advantageous method of operation, theprocess of sheathing furthermore includes the following stages:

clearance of joints or other obstacles disposed lengthwise of anelongated item, by extraction from the tool via the lateral passage, theelongated item(s) involved in the joint or obstacle followed by andcontinuation of the movement of the tool;

introduction into a group of elongated items a further elongated itemwhich has to be inserted into the sheath, by introducing said furtherelongated item into the group via the lateral passage of the toolfollowed by continued dragging of the tool relative to the sheath andthe elongated items.

The following description and drawings are intended to make it possibleto better understand the aims and advantages of the invention. It willbe understood that this description is given by way of example, and isnot limiting in its nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a tool according to the invention during its use for thesheathing in a textile sheath of a group of wires which make up a branchof a wiring assembly,

FIG. 2 shows the same tool in a perspective view,

FIG. 3 is a front elevation in the direction of movement of the toolduring use (direction III is indicated on FIG. 2),

FIG. 4 shows the same tool seen from the rear (direction IV as indicatedin FIG. 2),

FIG. 5 shows a section through the tool to the right of the lateralpassage (direction V indicated on FIG. 6),

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tool,

FIG. 7 is a section through the tool along the plane VI-VII of FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the tool (direction VIII on FIG. 2),

FIGS. 9A to 9E illustrate the steps of applying a sheath to a bundle ofcables,

FIG. 10 shows a variant of the device with a modification of thearrangement of the lateral opening with regard to the handle, thelateral opening being arranged downstream of the handle and no longerupstream of it, referred to the normal direction of movement of thetool,

FIG. 11 illustrates another variant with two lateral passages to theright and to the left,

FIG. 12 illustrates a further implementation of the tool in a variantwhich uses a wiring board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown by FIG. 1, the device during use only has one gripping handle1, by which the user communicates movement forward relative to the toolwith regard to a bundle of cables 8, 9 in order to position them on theinside of a sheath 7. For the rest of this description, the terms ‘infront of the tool’ and ‘behind the tool’ will be used with reference tothe relative direction of movement with regard to the sheath which is tobe put on. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the angle α, formed between and anAxis A of the head of the tool, and the main direction of movement ofthe sheath on axis B for passage of the bundle of cables, is relativelysmall, of the order of 20°.

In more detail, as seen in FIG. 2, the device comprises two componentswhich are the gripping handle 1 and sheath head 10. For a high degree ofrobustness, the device is preferably made in only one part, for examplefrom aluminium, by methods known to the expert. It can be made bystarting-from a block of aluminium 1 cm thick, cut according to thelateral shape of the tool, then drilled and/or machined. Manufacture bycasting or any other traditional method is similarly conceivable.

The handle 1 has dimensions appropriate to proper holding of the tool inone hand. As illustrated, it comprises two faces which are approximatelyflat and has in this example a thickness of about 1 to 2 cm. The handleis preferentially orientated in a manner so that the tool will be pulledrather than pushed by the user along the cables or the sheath. Thisjustifies an angle of the handle to the movement axis of the tool of theorder of 60 to 75° (angle β FIG. 7). The handle comprises an attachmentregion 6, made in the form of a drilling of 1 cm diameterperpendicularly to the plane of the handle, and adapted for example tothe passage of a chain or cord. This attachment region may be locatedeither close to the sheath head 10, or alternatively, far from it, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. According to the proposed enduse, the handle can be provided with an insulating sleeve, which thusensures better safety to a user working on electrical installations.

The sheath head 10 comprises a guide head 4 intended to ensure theopening of the sheath and the retention of the sheath 7 along the tool.This guide head is of traditional shape, crescent-shaped in section toallow easy insertion into the sheath initially and without a cuttingpoint in order to prevent risks of injuries to the user. In the case ofsheaths of a diameter of the order of 1 cm, its length is from 4 to 5cm, for a thickness of 6 mm and width of about 1 cm at its widest part,which determines the location where the sheath is opened to allow thepassage of the wires to be inserted. This guide head is shown in frontelevation in FIG. 3.

It is obvious that the dimensions of the head of the tool are directlyrelated to the range of diameters of sheaths for which the tool is to beused, the traditional diameters of fabric sheaths for covering being 5,8, 12, 20, 25 and 30 mm. Reduced dimensions or greater dimensions arealso conceivable, mainly as a function of the degree of opening requiredand the material from which the sheath is made up.

The sheath head 10 comprises a duct 3 intended for the passage orguidance of the bundle of cables 8 intended to be sheathed. This duct,the depth of which will decrease between its point of entry in front ofthe handle 1 under the head of the tool and its point of exit at therear of the head of the tool, has a width characteristic of the maximumdiameter of the group of wires or of the item which has to be sheathed.The width of the duct may be 8 mm for a tool adapted for textile sheathsintended to recover to 8 mm diameter. It may be made by drilling themetal block along an axis B, forming an angle α of about 20° to the axisA of the head (see FIG. 7), or directly during the casting of the part.It is desirable to reduce this angle a to limit friction of the cablesand the sheath on the tool, as well as the forces needed to carry outthe sheathing operation. The duct is made oval in order not to limit themaximum cross-section of the group of cables which can be sheathed bythe useable width of the tool.

It can easily be understood, incidentally, that tools adapted for thepassage of various maximum diameters of cables may be devised whenmodifying the dimensions of the sheath head 10 and duct 3. The ducttypically has a length of 5 to 6 cm between the point of entry of thecables into the tool and the rear rim of the tool. According to the sizeof the tool, its length can, of course, be above or below these values.

The sheath head 10 has lateral grooves 5 which extend into the wholezone where the sheath is held open (FIGS. 4, 6) to allow insertion ofcables to be sheathed. These grooves 5 are intended to hold the edges ofthe sheath 7 open, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. The grooves, with adepth of the order of 1 to 2 mm, made on the external lateral edges ofthe head of the tool, are interrupted about 1 cm before the rear edge ofthe duct to allow the sheath to be closed from the effect of its ownelasticity.

The sheath head 10 is characterised by a lateral passage 2 intended forinsertion into the duct 3 of additional items which are to be sheathed.This passage, located either on the right part or on the left part inthe relative direction of feed (without effect on the functioning of thedevice), has a width approximately equivalent to the width of the duct3, i.e. 5 mm in the example. This is clearly visible in FIG. 6. The axisC of this opening forms an angle β with axis A of the tool head, clearlygreater than the angle α formed between axis B of the conduit for thecables and the axis A of the head of the tool. An angle of opening from50° to 60° can be used advantageously. This arrangement, visible in thesection view FIG. 7, makes it possible to ensure that the cables, oncethey have been inserted into the tool and positioned along the axis ofpassage, cannot come out of it without the intervention of the user. Itsfunction is to keep the wires in the tool. On the other hand, it ispossible to extract (FIG. 1) one item 9 of an assembly 8 which has to besheathed, as is the case in a situation of electrical cable branching,for example.

Finally, with the aim of preventing the open sheath from going into thelateral passage during its insertion into the tool because of itselasticity, instead of sliding on the external edges of the rear part ofthe head, the guide head has, at its widest part, placed immediatelyabove the lateral opening, a not very deep hollow 4A on its uppersurface. The depth of this shollow recess is preferably between 1 mm anda quarter of the diameter of the empty sheath.

During manufacture of the tool, the sheath head 10, the duct 3 and thelateral passage 2 are painted with a polymerisable paint, after whichthe tool is passed to an oven to cause polymerisation of the paint, withthe aim of creating a reduced friction surface layer on the entry zonesfor the cables and the sheath, and to reduce the coefficient of frictionof the tool on the cables and the sheath throughout the life of thetool. It is clear that this treatment, combined with a low angle αbetween the axis B of the duct 3 and the axis A of the head, contributesto reducing the friction between the cables and the sheath and the toola great deal. The service life of the tool is distinctly increased.

The mode of operation of the device is very simple. The sheathing ofcables is illustrated by FIGS. 9A to 9E, in which the relative positionsof the sheath 7, the head of the tool 4, and of the bundle of cables 8to be sheathed, at different levels along the tool, are shown insection.

To begin with, (FIG. 9A), the split sheath 7, for example a polyestertextile sheath for re-covering (or a slit ringed sheath), of the typedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,149 and 5,556,495 in the name of theBentley-Harris company, and used for the sheathing of electric cables,is placed in front of the guide head 4 of the tool and is progressivelyopened by this guide head (FIG. 9B). Simultaneously, the cables 8 to besheathed are introduced into the tool by the lateral passage 2 and areorientated along the axis of passages B, which allows them to be held inthe duct 3.

By using a sheath, the edges of which have a recovery of 90° (as shownin FIG. 9A), it is possible to sheath a bundle of cables of which thediameter is greater than 20% that of the empty sheath.

During the insertion of the sheath into the tool, the user presses downwith one finger on the sheath at the level of the hollow 4A (FIG. 9C),to have the effect of forcing the edges of the sheath to stay apart soas to get over the lateral passage 2 and to engage the grooves 5 of therear part of the head of the tool (FIG. 9D). This arrangement once againmakes it possible to avoid having to manipulate the edges of the sheath,which are potentially sharp enough to cut, and increases the speed ofcarrying out the sheathing.

Whilst the sheath and the cables are then manually held in position atan initial point at the rear of the tool, relative movement of the toolalong the cables to be sheathed is carried out, which thus causes thetransfer of the cables to the inside of the sheath (FIG. 9D).

The guide grooves 5 for the sheath are interrupted at a place where thecables are already in position between the edges of the sheathing, andwhere the latter can thus be closed up again because of its ownelasticity (FIG. 9E).

Extraction of one of the cables (as illustrated in FIG. 1) can be donevia the lateral passage 2 when introducing the group to be sheathed viathe lateral passage 2. This cable is then left transverse to the groupof cables by the tool, whilst the remainder of the cables continue to besheathed. In this way, a branch is achieved. In the same manner,clearing connectors or junctions can be achieved by extracting thecables concerned during the movement of the tool, or by integrating newcables into the group to be sheathed. The addition of cables to a groupwhilst sheathing is going on is done in a similar manner, by theintroduction of item(s) by the lateral passage 2 and continuing themovement of the tool along the sheath. At the end of the zone to besheathed, the cables are extracted from the tool by the lateral passage2.

Another variant, illustrated in FIG. 10, comprises an arrangement of thehandle 1 of the tool between the guide head 4 and lateral opening 2. Theangle formed between the handle 1 and the direction of feed of thesheath 7 is here distinctly smaller, from 45° to 60°. This arrangement,which is less advantageous ergonomically, has great reliability forinstalling the sheathing. Because of the choice of the location of thehandle in front of the duct 3′ for the cables, the handle has a recess3″ which makes it possible to round off the elbow formed by the cablesand thus permitting an easier passage of the cables during sheathing.

The method of use remains identical, namely insertion of the cables tobe sheathed by the lateral passage 2′ and positioning them in the duct3, putting the sheath in front of the guide head 4 of the tool, feedingthe sheath along the lateral grooves 5, then drawing to the rear of thetool the assembly of sheath and cables, accompanied by relative movementof the tool along the sheath bringing about the sheathing of the cables.

Yet another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this variant, aright-hand and left-hand tool is achieved, by a modification of thefront part of the tool and also of the lateral passages. The rear partof the tool is unaltered. In particular, the tool according to thisvariant comprises two lateral passages 2A, 2B, one for each side of thetool. These openings allow the insertion of cables into two ducts 3A,3B, symmetrically disposed with regard to the plane formed by the headof the tool and its handle. These two ducts are merged into a singlerecess of decreasing depth in the rear part of the head. This recess isthen identical to the rear part of the duct of the previously describedversion of the tool. The tool according to this variant is suitable foruse equally by a right-handed or left-handed person.

Finally, in a variant shown diagrammatically in FIG. 12, the tool has,instead of the handle, a grip 21 with a length distinctly less than thesaid handle, for example on the order of half this length. This grip hasone or more fastening points of the type whereby the tool made up inthis way can be fitted on a wiring board 20, and has, if there is need,freedom of rotation around one or more axes 22. In the variantillustrated, forward movement in relation to the sheath (represented byan arrow in the sketch) relative to the tool is obtained by movement ofthe sheath 7, with, as distinct from the use in a mobile tool, thebundle of wires 23, 24 being held fixed on the wiring board, and endingin a connector 27. The wiring board traditionally has many supports forrepresentative branches 25, 26 of the wiring, as they must be positionedafter sheathing, for example in an automobile. In this use, the diameterof the bundle of wires to be sheathed must be less than that of thesheath by about 1 mm in order to allow the easy passage of the latter.The avoidance of the branches by the sheath is then done manually (or bymeans of another tool). Placing the sheath on by simultaneous movementof the sheath 7 and of the wires is similarly possible, according tocircumstances.

The functions and principles of use of this embodiment on a wiring boardconsequently remain identical. The choice of the most suitable type oftool depends on matters of ergonomics, on user fatigue during theintensive use of the tool, and on the type of sheathing to be achieved,sheathing of already installed cables requiring instead a very mobiletool which can be manipulated by hand.

In an embodiment not illustrated here, automation of the sheathing isprovided by incorporating the tool into a machine. This is made possibleby the guarantee that the sheath and the wires to be sheathed willremain correctly positioned in the tool during the process of sheathing.The certainty that the sheathing process is made correctly without theneed for continuous checking or human intervention guarantees thatindustrial use on great lengths of cables can be achieved.

This automatic sheathing, in a simple version, only involves segments ofcables devoid of branching. Such a machine for sheathing includes atleast one tool similar to that described above, equipment for unrollingthe cables to be sheathed on the one hand, and the empty sheath on theother, upstream of the tool, and a means of relative movement of thesheath or the assembly of sheath and sheathed cables with regard to thetool. These means may consist of a gripping device and traction devicefor the sheathed assembly, which can be coiled.

In one preferred variant, the handle of the tool is tubular, like ahammer grip instead of having a generally rectangular section.

Likewise, in another variant, the tool is made of rigid, moulded plasticmaterial, for example a non-flammable plastic of the “LEXAN”™ type, orof another electrically insulating material readily selectable by theexpert.

In yet another variant, a sheath which has not previously been split canbe used, the tool then being provided with a thin blade of conventionalshape and manufacture, appropriately positioned between the sheath entrypoint and the region where the cables enter, thus making possible thecutting and opening of the sheath before the insertion of the cables.

In a further variant, enamelling or other surface treatment (in itselfknown), may be used to reduce the friction, instead of the polymerisablepaint method mentioned earlier.

What is claimed is:
 1. Device for insertion of elongated items into atubular sheath having a longitudinally extending self-closing slithaving edges, wherein insertion is accomplished by movement of thedevice longitudinally with respect to the slit, the device comprising:an elongated head, having a longitudinal axis and top, bottom and sides,and including a guide portion disposed on said axis, said head beingextendible through said longitudinal slit into said sheath to open saidsheath by separating the edges of the slit and to guide said edges uponmovement along the slit; a feed duct for receiving elongated items, saidfeed duct extending through the head to said guide portion and having anaxis located at a first angle obliquely disposed in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the head, and a lateral passage, having a lateralopening to one of said sides of the device, said lateral passageintersecting the feed duct and communicating therewith for introductioninto and extraction of elongated items out of said feed duct and beinginclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head at a secondangle different from the first angle.
 2. Device according to claim 1,including a gripping handle which extends transversely in relation tothe head of the device.
 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein thegripping handle is made of an electrically insulating material. 4.Device according to claim 1, wherein said guide portion comprises aguide bush.
 5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said guide portioncomprises a pair of slit edge guidance grooves, each one of which beingdisposed laterally of, and extending longitudinally of, the head of thedevice for receiving and separating the slit edges of said sheath. 6.Device according to claim 1, wherein it is formed in one piece. 7.Device according to claim 1, wherein the lateral passage and said feedduct are in communication along their whole lengths to permit an item tobe inserted into the lateral passage by way of its lateral opening andthereafter inclined relative to the head to extend along the feed duct.8. Device according to claim 1, wherein a part, at least, of the surfaceof the feed duct, and/or of the guide portion, and/or of the lateralpassage, is provided with a surface layer having a reduced coefficientof friction.
 9. A method for insertion of elongated items into a tubularsheath having a longitudinally extending self-closing slit having sideedges, wherein insertion is accomplished by movement of an insertiondevice longitudinally with respect to the slit, wherein the devicecomprises an elongated head, having a longitudinal axis and a top,bottom and sides, and including a guide portion disposed on saidlongitudinal axis, the device further comprising a feed duct for saidelongated items extending through the head to said guide portion andhaving an axis located at a first angle obliquely disposed in relationto the longitudinal axis of the head, and a lateral passage, a lateralopening to said lateral passage through one of said sides of the head ofsaid device, said lateral passage intersecting the feed duct and beinginclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head at a secondangle different from the first angle, wherein the method comprises thesteps of: (a) extending the head through said longitudinal slit intosaid sheath to open said sheath by separating the edges of the slit andto guide said edges upon movement along the slit; (b) introducingelongated items into a lateral passage of the device and subsequentlyfeeding said items into a feed duct extending through said device head,opening of the sheath by the guide portion and guiding of the sheathalong the head of the device by effecting relative movement between thesheath and the device; and c) feeding the sheath relative to the deviceuntil the items are covered by virtue of relative movement of thesheath, or of the assembly of the sheath and items to be sheathed, withregard to the device.
 10. Method according to claim 9, wherein saidfeeding step has a further stage as follows: selectively extracting atleast one of said elongated items via said lateral passage of the deviceand continuing of the relative movement of the device.
 11. Methodaccording to claim 9, wherein said feeding step has a further stage asfollows: introduction of an elongated item into the group of elongateditems through the lateral passage of the device, accompanied bycontinuation of the relative movement of the device.
 12. Methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the relative movement of the sheath or theassembly of sheath and items to be sheathed by use of the device, isachieved by grasping the sheath at the rear of the device and applyingtraction to said sheath.